Anorexia

More than 2,000 children have received treatment for eating disorders in the past three years, according to figures reported today.

Statistics show that nearly 600 under the age of 13 were treated in hospital in England, including 197 aged between five and nine, after developing eating disorders.

The figures from 35 NHS hospitals showed 98 were aged between five and seven at the time of treatment and 99 aged eight or nine. Almost 400 were between the ages of 10 and 12, with more than 1,500 between 13 and 15 years old.

The figures, released under the Freedom of Information Act, are believed to be an underestimate, according to reports.